William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Banbury
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| Born | 1544 |
| Died | 25 May 1632 |
| Spouse(s) | Dorothy Bray (c.1524 – 31 October 1605) Elizabeth Howard (1605–1632) |
| Children | Edward Nicholas |
| Parent(s) | Sir Francis Knollys Catherine Carey |
William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury (1544 – 25 May 1632) was an important English nobleman. He served at the courts of two famous queens and kings: Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He was also a Privy Councillor and a Knight of the Garter, which were very high honors.
Contents
Early Life and Family
William Knollys was born in 1544. His father was Sir Francis Knollys, a well-known figure from Greys Court in Oxfordshire and Reading. His mother was Catherine Carey.
Political Career
William Knollys had a long career in politics. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) several times, representing different areas:
- Stafford in 1571
- Tregony from 1572 to 1581 and again from 1583 to 1584
- Oxfordshire from 1584 to 1586, 1592 to 1593, and in 1601
In 1584, he became the castellan of Wallingford Castle. A castellan was like the governor or keeper of a castle. In 1596, he was made Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire. This was a very important role, as he was the monarch's representative in the county, responsible for military and civil affairs. He held this position until he passed away.
William also served as a captain in the Netherlands in 1586. There, he fought under his brother-in-law, Robert Dudley, who was the Earl of Leicester. Robert Dudley knighted William for his service.
Homes and Royal Guests
When his father died in 1596, William inherited two grand estates: Greys Court and the newly rebuilt Caversham Park mansion. He often lived at Caversham Park. It was a large and beautiful home where he had the honor of hosting both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Anne of Denmark. Imagine having royalty visit your house!
Marriages and Titles
William Knollys was married twice. His first wife was Dorothy Bray. She was a widow and about 20 years older than him. They did not have any children together. Dorothy passed away on October 31, 1605.
After Dorothy's death, William quickly remarried. On December 23, 1605, he married Lady Elizabeth Howard. She was the daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk.
Over the years, William Knollys received several important titles:
- In 1603, he was made Baron Knollys. A baron is a nobleman, the lowest rank in the peerage.
- In 1616, he became Viscount Wallingford. A viscount is a rank above a baron.
- In 1626, he received his highest honor, becoming Earl of Banbury. An earl is a very high-ranking nobleman.
William Knollys died on May 25, 1632.
Legacy
Some people believe that William Knollys was the inspiration for the character of Malvolio in Shakespeare's famous play, Twelfth Night. Malvolio is a serious and sometimes silly character in the play.
Images for kids
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William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury
